Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut is at an altitude of 2,150 m (7,053 ft) from the sea level,
and the tumulus which includes the tomb of the King of Commagene, Antiochos Epiphanes the
I. is there. Mithradates the I., father of Antiochos to whom the tumulus belongs, took
advantage of defenselessness of the Seleukos who ruled in Syria after Alexander's death,
and founded the independent kingdom of Commagene in the year 80 B.C. Mithradates the I.
was succeeded by his son Antiochos the I. (62-32 B.C.) who brought great fame to his
country. The King who pointed out in his inscriptions that his maternal lineage had been
traced back to Alexander the Great, and his paternal lineage to the Persians, joined the
two cultures for this reason. Mithradates the II. was enthroned after him, and he was
succeeded by Antiochos the III, during whose reign the country became powerful. After his
death, Vespasianus united Commagene to the province of Syria (72 A.D.)

The tumulus is at a distance of 65 km (40 miles) to the township of
Kahta in Adiyaman; the tomb is placed in the middle of the tumulus and is covered by a
small hill which has a height and diameter of 50 m (164 ft) and 150 m (492 ft)
respectively and made of small pieces of stones. Terraces are built on the four sides of
the tumulus. There is an altar in the eastern terrace and there are also statues arranged
in a line, with their backs turned to the tumulus. The heads of the statues have rolled
down to the terrace in front, but the bodies still stand erect.

These gigantic statues with dimensions of 10 m (32 ft), are the statues of Apollon,
Tyche, Zeus, of Antiochos himself and of Heracles. Statues of eagles and lions are placed
on the two sides of these and, on the low walls adjacent to the two sides of the terrace,
there are inscriptions which explain how the ceremonies were performed. The statues on the
western terrace are arranged in the same sequence. On the side of this terrace, there are
many relieves. The relief discovered in Arsameia, capital of Commagene and located in the
village of Kocahisar near the Stream of Kahta describes Mithradates and Heracles shaking
hands and is a very interesting piece. The epitaph in the grave chamber of Mithradates the
I. which contains an inscription of 256 lines, is also interesting. The Bridge of Cendere
over the Stream of Kahta was built during the Roman Period. There
is a second tumulus on the mount named Karakus, at a distance of about 10 km (6.2 miles)
to this bridge. It is believed that this tumulus had belonged to the ladies of the court.
Mount Nemrut, which can be considered as the eighth wonder of the world, is an interesting
place to visit because of its impressive appearance and the unique beauty of the sunrise
there.

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